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Is it Time to Buy??

Located just 2 streets from Lakewood and less than a mile from Cerritos, fantastic location. Direct access into 2 car garage and go to your home through the freshly remodeled kitchen boasting granite counters and built-in stainless steel appliances.

Every year homeowners invest large sums of money remodeling their homes. With the high cost of material and labor these home remodeling projects are usually homeowner DIY projects.

The value of remodeling projects depends on several factors such as how old is the building, the general condition, and the real need for the project.

Keep in mind that the appearance of a house on the outside is what gives an initial and lasting impression. Keeping the exterior paint in good condition with no flake or chip and a roof should be clear of damaged shingles would it be your first step.

If paint on window shutters or trim is chipped, a new coat will refresh them and give your house a whole new look. These are inexpensive investments that are worth the cost.

Bath and kitchen areas are the most important rooms within a home. Remodeling a kitchen or bathroom can cost thousands of dollars but in many cases all they need is some sprucing up with paint or new floor material. Replacing an antiquated bathroom vanity and an old toilet is not very expensive and is not considered a major bathroom remodeling job. Buy new bathroom fixtures from bathroom designer warehouses at cut-rate prices. All these remodeling tasks are worth the investment.

Stained or messy flooring in the bathroom, laundry room or kitchen can reflect a disinterested homeowner, and these areas can be improved quite easily. Remove the varnish off of worn floors and reapply. Replace a dirty carpet for something more in tune with modern design.

These remodeling suggestion are inexpensive and are worth the investments. But before investing a great deal of money into an old home, determine what the return will be on the investment based on market value or how long you plan on staying in the house.

Certain home renovations are a win-win situation, providing enjoyment to you, the homeowner, and then making your home more marketable, and worth more, in the future.

Total existing-home sales, which are completed transactions that include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, rose 1.2% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.88 million in February from 4.82 million in January. Sales are 4.7% higher than a year ago and above year-over-year totals for the fifth consecutive month.

While the average improvement of 0.10% might not look like much at face value, it’s the biggest one-day drop we’ve had in 2015, and in a league with very few other players historically.

With today’s improvement, the most prevalently-quoted conventional 30yr fixed loan for top tier borrowers falls back to 3.75%. Some lenders will remain at 3.875% today, but many feel that those lenders held back from passing on the full effect of the market movement not an uncommon occurrence after a volatile swing like today’s.

Economic data affects rates by motivating investors to seek out or avoid risk. Higher demand means higher prices and lower rates. Investors are looking for clarity on the Fed’s plans regarding raising rates, among other things.

From here on out, volatility becomes an increasing risk heading into the Fed’s Announcement next Wednesday. It can either work for or against us, but the point is that if it does work against us, the potential damage is bigger than normal.

Based on company transactional data and Google search activity, Auction.com predicted Monday that existing-home sales in January will come in at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.06 million, just slightly above the National Association of Realtors’ (NAR) December estimate of 5.04 million.

An early forecast of existing-home sales projects a minor but surely increment transaction activity this month following December’s modest gain.

Paying a mortgage is cheaper than paying rent. But owning a home costs more. The never ending debate…Is better to buy or rent? This could be answered only after considering all of the expenses that contribute to homeownership.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) says it’s cheaper to own. It has become less expensive to own. From 2009 to 2012, fueled by falling interest rates, homeownership has become more affordable, while renters saw costs go in the opposite direction, according to the BLS.

A recent report by Zillow found that current U.S. home buyers can expect to pay 15.3% of their incomes to a mortgage on the typical home – down considerably from the 22.1% of income homeowners had to budget in the pre-bubble years but renters pay today over 29.5% of their income to rent, compared to 24.9% in the pre-bubble period.

The main reason for the budget disparity is the income gap between owners and renters. At the end of the second quarter, the Census Bureau reported the median annual income in the U.S. was $53,216. But among homeowners, median salaries were $65,514 per year, while the typical renter’s income was just $31,888.

There has never been a better time to buy a home; the advantage is on the buyer side. Buying is cheaper than renting in most markets. More people want to be homeowners, even younger buyers. A recent Fannie Mae survey of younger renters and buyers finds out that younger renters prefer owning. They don’t want to be renters – 90% would prefer to be homeowners.

Mortgage rates have dropped across all loan types including FHA loans, USDA loans, VA loans, and conventional loans backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and 30-year rates are at their best levels of 2014.

Inventory is down but so is the buyer pool. That means prices may be coming down. You may well have less competition for homes right now, especially if you’re in the ultra-competitive first time buyer market. This means that your chances of finding a home—and getting it for the right price—look good.

Credit and affordability issues remain. If you are financially and emotionally prepared, it makes sense to write a check list of what you need to get approved for a mortgage; order your credit reports; get your FICO score; pay stubs and bank statements; shop for the best mortgage rates; cobble together a down payment; meet with your choice of lender, and find out what your monthly payments will be for the home of your dreams, then GO for it!